Report emphasises value of mediators

Press, 29 July 1978, Page 3

Report emphasises value of mediators

PA Wellington The substantial increase in the number of disputes settled without work’s stopping highlights the important role played by the Industrial Mediation Service in settling disputes, says the Labour Department’s annual report.

In l»/6 i 77 there were 68 disputes settled without work stopping but not officially reported. In 197778 the figure had increased to 118. The number of formal disputes dealt with by the Industrial Mediation Service increased from 275 in 197677 to 439 in 1977-78. The number of disputes rtf interest where complete (agreement was reached in conciliation before an indusI trial conciliator increased (from 226 in 1976-77 to 280 I in 1977-78. > Elsewhere in the report,

the department says the training incentives programme is playing an im- < portant part in encouraging training which will lead to : increasing productivity and I efficiency in a wide range of ( industries and occupations. s The programme is being I administered by the Labour i Department in association with the Vocational Training ( Council and the Education Department. 1 The total number of appli- 1 cations qualifying for subsidies was 222. 45 more than in the previous year. Applications for group training, training of trainers and : supervisory training assistance increased. This resulted from the 1 priority given to courses which were likely to lead to significant returns in terms of productivity and those in industries of a iabour-in- 1 '

tensive nature which would benefit the largest number of workers, said the report. On safety promotion, the report says that safety inspectors from the Labour Department made 15.084 inspections of job sites, written instructions were issued in respect of 12,129 breaches, and 234 warning letters were sent recommending the implementation of safe practices and improvements to job amenities. In the construction industry alone, inspectors investigated 248 reported accidents which were of a fatal, serious, or unusual nature. More than 75 per cent of reported accidents involved unsafe actions. Inadequate training, supervision and control on the w-.k site were given as the main reasons for fatalities and injuries.